Lara McCulloch

Lara McCulloch

On Posted on by Lara McCulloch to Event Ideas, Event Planning, Food & Beverage, Industry Event, Venue & Hospitality

pravda vodka bar . tasting menu launch

pravda vodka bar tasting menu
The delicious tasting menu

Last week I was invited to attend Toronto’s own Pravda Vodka Bar for the launch event of their brand new tasting menu. As the name suggests, Pravda is known for having the best selections of Vodka in the city – over 70 varieties for all of you Vodka lovers. I learned far more than I ever thought I needed to know about this colorless liquor…and quickly realized that not unlike wine there is a LOT to know.

However, far more exciting than the debates over whether potatoes, rye or wheat is the better base in a quality Vodka were the pairings on their new menu. Perogies, lamb and Caviar…oh my! And, of course the friends I met was the cherry on top.

Inside Pravda Vodka Bar
Where else will you see decor like this?
Pravda Vodka Bar
Fresh ingredients lined up for the Vodka Martini bar
The ice & caviar bar
The Pravda Vodka ice bar, complete with Caviar
A Vodka Martini
A Vodka Martini made with uber fresh ingredients (no fake flavourings here)
The ladies of TSEvents.com
The ladies of TSEvents.com
Aerial Artist
A wonderful aerial act (but I do hope she didn't have a Vodka first)
Pravda Vodka Bar
(left) Michael Carter, husband; (center) Rachel Mangal, President of ISES Toronto; (right) Michael Braun, Canadian Event Perspectives Magazine
Kertney Russell discussing Vodka
Kertney Russell telling us about Vodka
Pravda Vodka Bar
New friends we met at Pravda

An excerpt from Pravda’s newsletter & great learnings for any Vodka drinker…

Dear Vodka Guy:My work requires me to travel to Russia quite often. I really enjoy drinking vodka but find it hard to keep up at client gatherings. How can I enjoy my favourite spirit without affecting business relationships and getting too intoxicated?

– Sober for the Sake of Business
Dear Sober for the Sake of Business:

Russians are renowned for drinking a lot of vodka and staying sober. That’s not something to do with biological inheritance but with the way they drink. Russians do everything to stay sober while drinking as much alcohol as possible. How do they do it? They try to neutralize alcohol as long as possible. I will outline the basic principles of vodka drinking for the inexperienced. Carry out these simple steps and it is guaranteed that at a Russian party you will stay sober for at least one bottle of vodka.Hope this helps,

– The Vodka Guy
What to do the hour before the party

  • Eat a couple of boiled potatoes.
  • Drink one or two raw eggs as this is the most important part of Russian pre-party preparations.
  • Drink one or two tablespoons of olive oil. Sunflower oil will also do.

What to do at the party

  • If you start drinking vodka drink only vodka. No beer or wine. No water or juice. Carbonated drinks are taboo.
  • Drink vodka only in shots. Never sip.
  • Eat immediately after taking a shot. Eating foods that are high in acid and salt with help neutralize the alcohol.

I recommend taking the following sequence:
+ immediately after taking a shot eat two slices of lemon

+ then some salted cucumbers, pickles, marinated tomatoes or caviar

+ then something with a lot of oil like herring or sardines

  • Actively participate in intellectual talks around the table. Mental activity is probably the best method to keep you excited but sober.
  • At the end of the party come tea and cakes. Make sure not to miss it. This way you show your hosts that you’re survived the party without dire consequences.

What to do after the party

  • Keep a small bottle of beer in refrigerator. Wake up at about 5:00 in the morning, drink your beer and go back to bed. It prevents hang-over in the morning.
  • If the early morning beer didn’t help, drink a glass of brine from the jar you kept your pickles in.

Click here to read more of Pravda’s propaganda (er, Newsletter with menu).

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